Refrigerating apparatus



y 3 19 1 M. R. BUTTS 2,986,017

REFRIGERATING' APPARATUS Filed Aug. 10. 1959 INVENTOR. MERVIN R. BUTTS ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofificc 2,986,017 I Patented May 30, 1961 REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Mervin R. Butts, West Milton, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 10, 1959, Ser. No. 832,581

4 Claims. (11. 62-217) This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and more particularly to a thermostatic suction line flow control device.

It is a well-known fact that the density of a gas is dependent on the temperature of the gas. When the gas is cold it has a high density and when the gas is warm it has a low density. When high density refrigerant gas is permitted to enter the compressor of a refrigerating system, it unduly loads the compressor and it is therefore an object of this invention to provide means for reducing the flow of gas to the compressor when the density of the gas is high.

A further object of this invention is to utilize the inlet muflier housing for supporting an improved type of flow control valve.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a compressor inlet regulating valve which comprises a single bimetallic element.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a combination sectional and schematic view showing the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 22 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown, reference numeral designates a conventional evaporator which is connected in series refrigerant flow relationship with a compressor 12, a condenser 14, and a pressure reducing device 16.

A combination flow control and muflier device generally designated by the reference numeral 20 has been placed in the suction line leading from the evaporator 10 to the compressor 12. This device comprises an enlargement in the suction line which is formed by means of a first cup-shaped sheet metal stamping 22 and a complementary closure member 24 which are arranged as shown. A baffle element 26 is disposed substantially centrally within the member 22 and is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced gas flow passages 28 through which all of the gas flowing from the evaporator to the compressor is required to flow.

The rate of flow through the device 22 is regulated by means of a bimetallic meter and baflle element 30 which comprises a bimetallic strip which has been bent into the form of a cylinder having a gap 32 provided in the periphery of the cylinder. The meter and batfle element 30 is disposed between and loosely held in place by the members 24 and 26.

The gas to be compressed enters the muflier and metering device through the line 34 which discharges the gas centrally within the cylindrical bimetallic element 30. All of the gas entering the central portion of the element 2 30 is required 'to flow through the 'slot 32 on its way to the compressor. 'Since the element 30 is formed of bimetaL'tlie sizeof the 'slot is'determin'ed by the temperature of the bimetallic body portion of the bafiie and metering. device 30.

The baflie element 26 is provided with a central boss 34 which serves to position the bimetallic element 30. As the compressor starts, there is usually an inflow of coldgas from the evaporator and this gas is at a high density. The meter element 30 at this point restricts the gas flow to the compressor. As the gas warms up, the bimetal cylinder expands and allows more gas to flow to the compressor.

By virtue of the above described arrangement, it is apparent that the single bimetallic cylindrical member 30 disposed within the muffler chamber on one side of the muflier baflie serves as a flow regulating device as well as a baflle for reducing the noise produced by the gas flowing through the suction line.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a refrigerating system, the combination, an evaporator, means for supplying refrigerant to said evaporator including a compressor, a suction line leading from said evaporator to said compressor, a metering valve in said suction line, said metering valve comprising a housing serving as a muffler chamber, a partition within said housing, a bimetallic cylindrical element disposed between said partition and one Wall of said housing, said himetallic cylindrical element having a slot in its periphery whereby changes in temperature of the gas flowing through said valve vary the slot opening.

2. In a refrigerating system, the combination, an evaporator, means for supplying refrigerant to said evaporator including a compressor, a suction line leading from said evaporator to said compressor, a metering valve in said suction line, said metering valve comprising a housing serving as a muffler chamber, a partition Within said housing, a bimetallic cylindrical element disposed between said partition and one wall of said housing, said bimetallic cylindrical element having a slot in its periphery whereby changes in temperature of the gas flowing through said valve vary the slot opening, and means for positioning said bimetallic cylindrical element within said chamber whereby at least one portion of said periphery is free to move so as to vary the slot opening.

3. A refrigerating system including a compressor and an evaporator, means including a conduit for conveying refrigerant from said evaporator to said compressor, said compressor being arranged to move refrigerant through said conduit, compressor overload preventing means comprising a bimetallic cylindrical element loosely disposed in said conduit and having a slot formed in its one peripheral wall, and means whereby gas flowing from said evaporator to said compressor is required to flow through said slot.

4. A refrigerating device comprising an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a connection between the evaporator and the compressor, compressor overload preventing means comprising a metering valve for controlling the flow of vaporized refrigerant therethrough, said valve including a floating bimetallic cylindrical element having a slot formed in its periphery, means for directing the refrigerant flowing through said connection through said slot, said slot extending the full axial length of said bimetallic element whereby changes in temperature of the gas flowing through said slot serve to vary the slot opening.

(References on following page) I 3 7 References Cited in the file of this patent 2,421,713 2,454,537 UNITED STATES PATEN IS 2,497,668 2,071,935 Mufily Feb. 23, 1937 2,221,750 Ashby Nov. 19, 1940 5 2,309,773 Kaufman Feb. 2, 1943 590,092

Porter June 3, 1947 Atchison Nov. 23, 1948 Grumblatt Feb. 14, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain July 8, 1947 

